Pneumatic glass feeder



May 22, 1934. H. s. BRADY Er AL PNEUMATIG GLASS FEEDER original' Filedoct. 10, 1931 VMWMMWHME- M f www Hag/7 Brady ja H Howard 15..Eccle6onE'ee Je Patented May 22, 119,34

' PNEUMATIC GLASS FEEDER Hugh S. Brady, Wheeling, Ira H. F11-cese,Clarksburg, W. Va., and Howard R.. Eccleston, Washington, D. C.,assignors to Hazel-Atlas Glass Company, Wheeling, W. Va., a corporationof lrgina West V' Continuation of application Serial No. 568,134,October 10, 1931. This application September 29, 1932, Serial No.535,422

7 Claims.

The invention relates to an apparatus for feeding glass charges to themolds of a forming ma. chine, to be formed into glass articles. 'I'hepresent :feeder is of the air pressure type, in which the charges areformed in suspension by alternate plus and minus pressures; the generaltype being illustrated by Hitchcock Patent Noy 805,068, November 21,1905. For convenience, the plus and minus pressures are referred toherein as 10 pressure and vacuum, respectively. The purpose of thepresent invention is-to greatly simplify the structure and operation ofglass feeders of the air pressure type, to make their operation moreuniform and certain, to provide an apparatus which requires littleattention by the operator, and which is inexpensive both in manufactureand in operation.

Prior feeders have been rather complex in construction and operation,and their operation required considerable skill. Further, the manyvalves and other adjustments provided in the prior feeders were oftenadjusted without any real necessity therefor, which frequently resultedin loss of production. One of the objects of the present invention is toprovide a feeder which is so simple in construction that its operationwill be readily understood, and which will neither require nor permit ofthe many adjustments present in prior feeders, thereby assuring theproduction of uniform mold charges.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from the following detailed description, when takenin connection with the accompanying drawing, in

which:

The figure is a complete diagram of the feeder; parts being shown invertical section and parts being shown in side elevation, and the shearsbeing illustrated diagrammatically.

Referring to the drawing in more detail, numeral 1 indicates aconventional flow spout which receives the molten glass from a meltingfurnace (not shown). The bottom of the flow spout, adjacent its frontend, is provided with the usual flow orifice 2, and removably mountedbelow the ow orlflce is the ordinary orifice ring or bushing 3.v Inaccordance with the established practice, the size of the orifice ringdepends upon the partiular work at hand.

Numeral 4 refers to an air bell or tube which is in alignment with theow orifice, and which has its lower end immersed in the molten glass.'The A air bell extends to the door ofthe flow spout, ex-

cept for a'clearance of a fraction of an inch. In the particular formherein illustrated, and which per se forms no part of the presentinvention, the

, lower end of the bell is cut away to form a port 5,

Whichfport preferably faces the front of the ow spout; i. e., it facesaway from the melting furnace. Surrounding the flow orifice and thelower end of the air bell 4, is a baille or flange 6, which projectsupwardly from, and is preferably formed integral with, the floor of thenose block, which is the term usually applied to the forward end portionof the flow spout. 'Ihis baiile or flange 6 is of less height than thedepth of the 'molten glass I in the flow spout, but is of slightlygreater height than that of the port 5. The baille does not'extendentirely around the lower end of the air bell,4 but ends some littledistance from each side of the center line of the flow spout, asindicated by numerals "I, 7, to form a passage or port 8. 'Ihis portalso preferably faces the front end of the flow spout. By rotatablyadjusting the air bell the portsl 5 and 8 may be brought into completealignment, thereby providing a full volume ilow of glass; or the airbell may be adjusted to any degree of alignment desired, to reduce thevolume flow of glass to the desired extent. By this simplead-n justment,the volume flow of glass may be accurately adjusted, thereby providing avery sim-A ple and eicient means for controlling the weight of the glasscharges or gobs.

The air bell is rotatably adjusted in either dilrection by means of `ahand wheel 9, and intermediate gear mechanism Which need not be shown ordescribed here, as mechanism for rotatably adjusting the air bell isfully disclosed in the application of David Stenhouse, Ser. No. 447,387,led April 25, 1930, and per se forms no part of the present invention.Likewise, the particular construction of the air bell, and the bailleassociated therewith, are shown and claimed in an application of JamesW. Ross, Ser. No. 618,569, led June 21, 1932, and per se form no part ofthe present invention. v

Connected with the upper end of the air bell is a pipe 10, by which airis alternately admitted to and exhausted from the air bell, to form the100 glass charges in the well-known manner. The apparatus forautomatically controlling the admission and exhaust of air will bedescribed hereinafter.

4Arranged below the orifice bushing is a pair of 105 conventional shears11, which are diagrammatically illustrated. The shears are closed andopened by a cylinder 12; air pressure being ad-l mittedto the rear endof theicylinder by a pipe 13, and exhausted from the front end of thecylin- 110 der by a pipe 14, to close the shears; and air pressure beingadmitted to the front end of the cylinder by the pipe 14 and exhaustedfromthe rear end of the cylinder by the pipe 13, to open the shears. Theapparatus for automatically controlling the operation of the shearcylinder will be described hereinafter. The structure thus far describedforms per se no part of the present invention. The present invention ispreferably employed with the air bell construction disclosed herein,which as mentioned hereinbefore is the same -as that disclosed in theRoss application, Ser. No. 618,569; but the invention is equally welladapted to use with the air bell construction disclosed in the Stenhouseapplication, or in the Good application, Ser. No. 180,281, filed April1,

1927; or with any other preferred air bell construction, or otherarrangement for controlling the volume ow of glass.

Numeral 15 refers to a cam shaft which is driven in timed relation witha glass forming machine, by any desired mechanism.y Keyed or otherwisenon-adjustably mounted on this shaft is a trip cam 16, which rotatescontinuously in the direction indicated by the arrow. It is to benotedthat this single cam controls the pressure and vacuum in the airbell, and the air pressure for operating the shears, as Will moreclearly appear presently.

The trip cam 16 controls the operation of two piston valves, the casingsof which are referred to by numerals 17 and 18.

Reciprocally mounted Within the valve. casing 17 is a valve head 19having' a valve stem 20. Rotation of the valve head and valve stem isprevented by means of a pin 17' which rides in a longitudinal slot 17"provided in the valve stem. The free end of the valve stem is providedwith a roller 21 which rides upon the cam 16. The valve stem iscontinuously urged in the direction of the cam by means of a coil spring22 which is telescopically mounted within the valve head and valve stem,and which has its other end resting against the end of the valve casing.The ends of the valve casing are provided with vents 23 and 24permitting constant communication between the atmosphere and theinterior of the valve casing, at both ends, thereby preventing theaccumulation of pressure in either end of the valve casing. Y.

Numeral 25 refers to a pressure tank, to which air under pressure issupplied from any desired source by means of a pipe 26; the pipe beingpreferably provided with a conventional pressure regulator 26', for thepurpose of maintaining uni-l form pressure. A pipe 27 leads from thelower portion of the pressure tank, and from this pipe lead two branches28 and 29, the former connecting with the valve casing 17 and the latterconnecting with the valve casing 18.

Leading from the valve casing 17, in the same plane as the entrance ofpipe 28, is a pipe 30, which communicates with the pipe 10 leading tothe top of the air bell 4. The valve head 19 is provided with a passage31, and when the cam 16 has moved the Valve head to the position shownin the drawing, this passage permits communication between pipes 28 and30, whereby air under pressure from the pressure tank 26, flows directlyinto the upper end of the air bell. This pressure assists in theextrusion of the glass and the formation of the mold charge, in thewell-known manner.

When the cam 16 rides from under the valve stem 20, the spring forcesthe valve head to a position to shut yoff communication betweenl thepipes28 and 30. This movement of the valve head merely shuts offcommunication between the pressure tank and the air bell, but does notrelease the pressure in the air bell. 0n the contrary, it seals thepressure in the air bell until it is released in due course by theapplication of vacuum controlled by the operation of the other valve, tobe now described;

Reciprocally mounted within the valve casing 18 is a valve head 32,having a valve stem 33. 85

The free endof the valve stem is provided with a roller 34 which ridesupon the cam 16. Rotation of the valve head and valve stem is preventedby means of a pin 35 which rides in a lon gitudinal slot 36 provided inthe valve stem. The 90 valve stem is continuously urged in the directionof the cam by means of a coil spring 37 which is telescopically mountedWithin the hollow valve head, and-which has its other end restingagainst the end of the valve casing. The ends of the valve casing areprovided with vent holes 38 and 39 which permit constant communicationbetween the atmosphere and the interior of the valve casing, at bothends, to prevent the accumulation of pressure in either end of the valvecas'- 100 and leading from the passage 43 is pipe 14 lead 110 ing to thefront end of the shear cylinder. Intermediate the passages 42 and 43 isa passage 44 communicating with the atmosphere.

Numeral 45 refers to a vacuum tank communicating with any desired sourceof vacuum (not shown) by means of pipe 46, which is preferably providedwith a conventional vacuum regulator 46. A pipe 47 leads from the lowerportion of the vacuum tank to a passage 48 in the valve body; andaligned with this passage 48 is a passage 49. fPipe 50 providescommunication between the passage 49 and the pipe 10 leading to the airbell or tube 4.

The reciprocable valve head 32 is provided g. with a passage 51 which isadapted to align with passages 40 and 42 to permit air under pressure toflow to the rear end of shear cylinder 12, to close the shears. Thevalve head is also provided with a passage 52 which, in one position ofthe valve head, aligns with passages 41 and 43 to 130 permit air underpressure to flow to the front end of the shear cylinder to open theshears, and which, in another position of the valve head aligns withpassages 48 and 49 to open communiterior of the air bell 4.

It will be noted that the valve head 32 is provided, on both sides, withcut-out portions 53 which communicate with the passage 51. 'I'hese`cation between the vacuum tank 45 and the in- 135 cut-out portionspermit air pressure to be adtion of vacuum to the interior of the airbell,

for lifting the severed stub of glass.

The valve head is also provided with a longitudinally extending passage54, which in one position of the valve head opens communication betweenpassages 42 and 44, to open the rear end 150 passage 44 to atmosphere.

of the shear cylinder to atmosphere; and in the other position openscommunication between passages 43 and 44,to open the iront end of theshear cylinder to atmosphere.

Only a brie description of the operation of the feeder is necessary.With the parts in the position shown in the drawing, air under pressurefrom tank 25 iiows through pipes 27 and 28 to valve casing 17, andthence through the valvev head passage 31 to pipe 30 communicating withpipe 10, which leads to the interior of the air bell or tube 4. Thispressure acting on the glass within the tube will accelerate the gravityiiow of glass through the flow orifice. At the same time, the air underpressure from pipe 27 flows through pipe 29 to valve casing 18, andthence through the valve body passage 41, valve head passage 52, andvalve body passage 43, to pipe 14 leading to the front end of the shearcylinder 12, to open and maintain open the shears 11; the pressure fromthe rear end of the cylinder being exhausted through pipe 13 to valvebody passage 42 to valve head passage 54, and thence through valve bodyin this position for a period, the duration of which will depend uponthe design of the cam 16.

'Ihe continued rotation of the cam will carry the cam shoulder 16'beyond the roller 21, thereby permitting spring 22 to force the valvehead 19 downwardly. This movement of the valve head carries passage 31out of alignment with pipes 28 and 30, thus cutting off furthercommunication between the pressure tank and the interior of the airbell, and at the same time sealing in the air bell the air pressurepreviously supplied to it. This pressure remains in the air bell, untilcommunication is opened with the vacuum tank.

The continued rotation of the'cam 16 moves the valve head 32 downwardly.This movement first brings the cut-out portions 53 into register withthe passages 40 and 42, thereby permitting ,air under pressure to flowfrom the pressure tank through pipes 27 and 29, passages 40, 51 Aand 42,to pipe 13, and thence to the rear end of shear cylinder l2 to close theshears and sever the formed charge; the front end of the cylinder beingpermitted to exhaust, by reason of passage 54 coming into register withpassage 43, thereby opening communication with port 44 leading toatmosphere. y

Slight further movement of the valve head in the same direction, causedby the continued rotation of the cam 16, brings passage 52 in alignmentwith passages 48 and 49, thereby opening communication between thevacuum tank 45 and the interior of the air bell 4, whereupon the airbell will be vacuumized to the desired degree, to

lift the stub of glass which remains after the charge has been severed.y

Continued rotation of the cam 16 carries the cam shoulder 16' beyond therollerx34 permitting valve head 19 to be moved upwardly, against thepressure of spring 22,'to the position shown in the drawing, therebyopening communication The parts will remain between the pressure tankand the air bell, and

completing a cycle of operation. It will be understood that the entirecycle is completed in two seconds, at an ordinary speed of 30 chargesper minute; the time of the cycle being correspondingly decreased athigher rates of production.

The apparatus is subject to many changes and modiiications withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention; and all such changes andmodiiications are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 568,134,filed October 10, 1931;

What we claim as new is: 1. A glass feeder including a flow spout havinga flow orifice, a tube projecting downwardly into the glass in the owspout in substantial alignment with the flow orifice, 4shears arrangedbelow the flow orifice for severing the formed charges, a cylinder foroperating the shears, a valve periodically opening and closingcommunication between a source of pressure and the interior ofsaid'tube, a second valve periodically opening and closing communicationbetween a source of vacuum and the interior of said tube andperiodically admitting pressure to and exhausting pressure from oppositeends of the shear cylinder, and means for operating said valves.

2. A glass feeder including flow spout having a flow orifice, a tubeprojectingv downwardly into the glass in the flow spout in substantialalignment with the iiow orifice, shears arranged below the flow oriiicefor severing the formed charges, a cylinder for operating the shears, avalve periodically opening and closing communication between a source ofpressure and the interior of said tube, a second valve periodicallyopening and closing communication between a source of vacuum and theinterior of said tube and periodically admitting pressure to andexhausting pressure from opposite ends of the shear cylinder, and asingle cam for operating both of said valves.

3. A glass feeder including flow spout having a ilow orice, shearsarranged below the ow orifice for severing the formed charges, acylinder for operating the shears, a valve periodically opening andclosing communication between asource of pressure and the space abovetheglass over the ilow oriiice, a second valve periodically opening andclosing communication between a source of vacuum and the space above theglass over the ow orifice and periodically admitting pressure to andexhausting pressure from opposite ends of.

the shear cylinder and a single cam for operating both valves.

4. A glass feeder including a ow spout having a iiow oriilce, a tubeprojecting downwardly into the glass in the flow spout in substantialalignment with the ow orice, shears arranged below the flow oriiice forsevering the formed charges, a cylinderfor operating lthe shears, tworeciprocable valves, one of said valves controlling the admission of airpressure to said tube, the other of said valves controlling theapplication of vacuum to said tube and also controlling the operation ofsaid shear cylinder, and a single cam controlling the operation of bothof said reciprocable and a single valve periodically applying vacuum isovto the tube and periodically operating said shears.

6. A glass feeder including a flow spout having a ow orifice, a. tubeprojecting downwardly into the glass in the ow spout in substantialalignment with the ow orice, shears arranged below the flow orifice forsevering the formed charges, two valves controlling the operation ofsaid shears and periodically opening communication between a source ofpressure and the interior of said tube and between a source of vacuumand the interior of said tube, and means for operating the tw valves. v

7. A glass feeder including a flow spoutfhaving

